JAMES BOND favourite and Luther star Idris Elba is being tipped by bookies as the next James Bond. What are his odds?

Idris Elba is back on everyone's mind as Luther returns to BBC One. The grizzled detective is back fighting crime, with a new partner and a new killer to catch. And with Luther's return, Elba's odds of stepping into the role of 007 have been slashed.

Related articles

What are Idris Elba's odds to play James Bond?

Idris Elba has overtaken another grizzled-national treasure, Tom Hardy, for third place with oddsmakers.

Elba's odds of replacing Daniel Craig as Bond were slashed from 4-1 to 3-1 with Coral.

A spokesman for Coral said: “If this gamble is correct, we could be set for our first ever black actor playing James Bond as we are being knocked over with interest in Idris Elba becoming the next 007.”

How likely this is, remains to be seen as Daniel Craig heads into his last ever foray as Bond.

James Bond: Daniel Craig is set to play Bond for the last time with Bond 25 (Image: EON)

Meanwhile, James Norton is in second place to take over the mantle of Bond.

Tom Hiddleston, perhaps best known for playing Loki in the Marvel series, is in first place with six-to-four odds to play Bond.

Elba has surpassed both the aforementioned Hardy and Bodyguard star Richard Madden.

Madden's odds were also slashed with his portrayal of David Budd, but have waned with Luther's resurgence.